From Daring Not to Dream of Going Abroad to Iceland: University Student Accepted into Government's Billion-Dollar Dream Fund Program

(Central News Agency reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, 5th) From never daring to imagine going abroad to soon heading to Iceland, Tainan university student Hsu Wei-Chu once struggled with financial pressure and confusion. With the companionship of a corporate mentor, she rediscovered her own potential and successfully enrolled in the Ministry of Education's 'Youth Billion Overseas Dream Fund Plan'.

A press release from the Puren Youth Care Foundation shared Hsu's story. Throughout her upbringing, financial pressure was always present. Studying abroad was never a given option, but a distant place buried under the pressures of life, one she dared not even look towards. She was once confused about her future, until she met a gentle push.

Hsu is currently studying at a university in Tainan. When she saw the 'Break The Limits Incubation Program' co-organized by Pizza Hut and the Puren Youth Care Foundation, which provides resources such as corporate mentors, summer internships, and scholarships, she gathered her courage and applied, hoping to find her future direction through workplace exploration.

After joining the program, Hsu's greatest gain came from the one-on-one companionship and guidance of her corporate mentor. Through repeated meetings, the mentor not only helped her organize her career direction but also helped her get to know herself again. "The most important thing was changing my way of thinking, making me clearer about the direction I want to take in the future," Hsu said.

Hsu had always wanted to see different cultures abroad and looked forward to communicating with the world in English one day. This time, she bravely challenged the Ministry of Education's 'Youth Billion Overseas Dream Fund Plan' and succeeded. She will never forget the surprise and emotion of receiving the acceptance notice.

Hsu said that besides her own efforts, the program's training process, including the companionship of her corporate mentor and courses on career exploration and communication, helped her understand herself better and learn how to showcase her strengths.

Wen Chien-Hung, the Regional Group Talent and Development Manager at IKEA who served as her corporate mentor, shared that he himself received a lot of help when he was young, so he hopes to give back to society by being a mentor. In his eyes, Hsu has always maintained a positive and resilient attitude. "What she has achieved today is the result of step-by-step effort," he said, adding that he was deeply moved to see her about to embark on her overseas journey.

The Puren Youth Care Foundation stated that Hsu's story proves that when young people are understood and accompanied, they have the opportunity to transcend environmental limitations, see a wider world, and believe again in the possibilities of the future. The second edition of the 'Break The Limits' incubation program is now open for applications, hoping to accompany more young people in finding their direction, building their abilities, and bravely chasing their dreams. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150605